Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-02-03

had stars Of gold on an azure ground
gay hangings Of richest brocades GOV.
cred the walls, the softest carpets oi
Kernaum were spread around the
room. and on q pile of soft cushions
reeiined the priestess, glittering with
jewels. A necklace of pearls, the
finest Baurein ever produced, adorned
her neck; diamonds and rubies gilt
tered in her ears and were mingled
IN the brsids Of her glossy hair, reach.
ing almost to her feet, which were eoy-
cred with tiny sandals, fastened with
golden chains and studded with pre-
cious stones. All these adjuncts seem
ed but the natural accompapiments Of
her regal. msgnifcsat hssaty. and
Captain CHAMPION. although an ele-
CANT. accomplished mau, paused timid-
ly, hesitating how to express the grst-
itude and admiration which literally
struck him dumb.
Graclously the lady mo,ioned him
to a seat beside her, while .weetms 4, $
and wine-from the grapes that blush
on the plains Of Nishapoo--were served
by the attendant.
Then the priestess detailed to him
the plan she had formed for his escape.
How he blessed his knowledge Of Hin
doostanee, which he had so much i'm
proved during his confinement, ss it
dropped in liquid tones from that
lovely mouth!
She had waited the arrival of two
trusty natives who would bring him
the disguise Of dervish, and who had
strict orders to obey his commands.
Her father was absent, and the sen.
tinel was to be drugged; SO placing a
heavy purse Of gold in his hands, des-
Pite his protestations, she prepared to
bid him adieu.
Then the young man woke from the
stupor which had paralyzed his senses
and poured forth the love which had
risen in his heart like burning tor.
rent of lava.
Since the time she had unveiled her
gorgeous beauty beside his palanquin
all the romantic love Of his nature had
centred around her, and days of lonely,
listless idleness, spent in dreamy
reverie, had done their work in de-
veloping this passion into flood which
overleaped all difference of position.
She, the daughter of a prince, prizes
tess Of the temple, what was it to the
love that coursed through his veins
like fire?
With crimsoned cheeks and down
cast eyes she listened to his passionate
words, and when he ventured to press
kiss upon the soft, small hand, she
did not repulss him.
"OLl fly with mel" he pleaded; /
cannot leave you; I cannot go without
you"
She smiled upon him,
Not now," she murmured, and
paradise dawned upon her lover, for
she did not refuse his suit.
"In three months is the great festi-
val Of Rith Jatra, and then retire
to the country to intercede with the
gods for a. many months more At
the ceremony I must wear the "a, :
eye ring. but until then keep It with
YOU Of your mission; II vii. save yor
from harm
My mission said the as;onishe.i
lover, do you wish me to succeed in
it?"
MY two servants will guide you
safely, she returned; land in your
| guise you will never be suspected
l know you have your papers some
where concealed about you, and then
when you return
/ And a glance SO sweet, 90 thrilling,
met his upturned gaze that he clssped
the beautiful princess in his arms and
their lips met.
All was arranged before they parted
about their fight together.
The next night, being dark aud
starless, was favorable to the project.
ed escape, and, assuming the Disguise
of a dsrvish with long gray beard.
Captain Champion followed his guide
without hindrance into the open coun.
try.
Heavy clouds were flying across the
heavens, while luminous through the
dense obscurity cleaned the blazing
light of suttee fire high or a sand
hill, at whose foot the angry surf was
wsrring.
Wild figures, in white, floating gar
ments, were singing and dancing. with
fierce. fantastic gesturer, round the
blazing pile, and the cries Of the burn.
ing victim. minpliup with their shout